President and Sister Meredith brought back Date Night to BYU-Idaho in January 2024, an evening of fun and activities for people to pair up and hang out. The campus hosted Date Night that month, and the event has become a staple every semester since.

If you've never been before and want to go to the upcoming event on Jan. 30, here's what you need to know in advance.

So much to do, so little time

Date Night is a once-a-semester event and, therefore, very popular. Expect large crowds, possibly a few thousand people paired off on dates.

Harlee Hall, freshman and communication major, went to Date Night last Fall semester, and she said it was fun but also very busy.

“It was a lot of fun," said Hall. "There was just a lot of people so it was kind of hard to do the activities and stuff.”

Don't be intimidated by the large crowd size and possible congestion. If you come prepared, you'll know what events are available and where they are.

Date Night is not relegated to one building on campus; rather, it is spread out across BYUI. Expect tons of activities. You won't be able to do all of them, so decide with your date which ones you want to hit.

“My favorite part last semester was the variety of activities," said Coleman Hughes, freshman and construction management student. "Just being able to go with someone you’ve probably never met before and getting to know them better.”

Getting a date

Gentlemen, suppose there is someone you want to ask out. How do you go about it?

According to Hughes, the process is actually quite simple.

“This semester, I found one of my friends," Hughes said. "I’ve known her for about three years, and I just asked her, ‘Do you want to go to date night with me?’ It’s as simple as that.”

Kassidy Black, a freshman and graphic design major, shared some practical advice and said that Date Night should be "super casual."

“The worst they can do is say no," Black said. "Most girls, if they get asked–unless they’ve already been asked–they’re probably going to say yes because it sucks being the one person at home while everyone else is at Date Night.”

Just have fun

Date Night is meant to be a low-stakes situation. It's about having fun and spending time with someone you may or may not know. There shouldn't be expectations for a serious relationship from Date Night.

“It’s not high pressure. You don’t have to get married after going to Date Night," Black said. "Just be yourself and have fun.”

A great way to do that is with group dates, which can decrease pressure and let you feel more comfortable, especially if your date is someone you don't know all that well.

“Start with the people around you, get to know the people around you," said freshman Lilly Sewell. "If you get along with them, great. Try to be outgoing, force yourself to feel uncomfortable because that’s how you get comfortable. Don’t just sit in your room and study all day."

Colton Hall, freshman and automotive engineering technology major, said dating should involve having the right mindset and purpose.

“The most important thing to remember is to go somewhere with real intent, with a purpose in mind," Colton Hall said. "If your purpose is to have fun, I think you’re gonna have fun."

Harlee Hall said that it's important not to worry about dating because it "should be fun."

"It’s not that deep," Harlee Hall said. "I feel like first dates and stuff, it’s just for fun getting to know people.”

Have a great time at Date Night, everyone.